Was the HN title changed. I am having trouble seeing how one who did not read the article would interpret the HN title to suggest a "they're watching you" narrative. For example, one could interpret it as posing a question about leaked photos, e.g., who leaked them and/or why.
The idea that a "they're watching you" narrative is "attention-getting" is interesting seeing that many HN commenters repeatedly tell us that people outside of HN do not care about privacy or surveillance. If that is true, then why would a journalist/publication seeking the largest possible audience try to advance such a narrative. No one cares. That's what they tell us, anyway.
NB. I am not suggesting that I believe the HN comments arguing that no one outside HN cares. They could be correct. However I believe the commenters making them could be biased if they are invested in the survival of the so-called "tech" industry, i.e., targeting internet users with data collection and surveillance and selling online advertising services as a "business model".
The actual title is: "A Roomba recorded a woman on the toilet. How did the photos end up on Facebook"
This website is a publication of MIT. A strange source for "they're watching you" narratives.